Joanna Rose

Joanna Leona Rose went home to be with our Heavenly Father on February 1, 2020, at the age of 86. Those who knew and loved Joanna will forever remember her as a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend with a spunky zest for life and a tremendous love for others. Joanna is survived by her husband and best friend, Floyd Rose. The two were married in Bangor, MI, on October 6th, 1951, before welcoming their two children: Susan (Rose) Mortensen and David Rose. Joanna worked at the Village Market in Bloomingdale for more than 30 years where she was known by everyone in town as the produce lady who never saw a bad day. Her light heart, contagious sense of humor, and kindness to every customer left a legacy at the store long after her retirement. Joanna was a hard worker, whether on the farm, in the store, or working in her flower gardens at home, but once she retired she was afforded the opportunity to slow down and smell those roses with her husband, family, and friends. She enjoyed traveling in their fifth wheel and the couple quickly decided Branson, Missouri, Arizona, and Florida were their favorite destinations. When they weren’t traveling, Joanna and Floyd loved spending time with their siblings, dancing and doing the polka on Saturday nights, cruising the lake on their pontoon boat, snowmobiling with friends, fishing, camping with their grandkids, gathering with peninsula friends for bonfires, and partaking in cocktail hour on the lake. Joanna loved babies, especially her grandkids and great-grandbabies. Grammy spent countless hours fishing with the boys and when they caught even the tiniest of fish, she would put her “best fish filleter in the world” status to work cleaning them so the boys could be proud of their day’s work at dinner. She enjoyed playing cards with the girls and was known to add the rule, “must let Grammy cheat so she can keep up” to every Nertz game they played. Joanna was an awesome gardener with a green thumb like no other, and a great seamstress, cook, and baker. Her peanut brittle, pumpkin rolls, and banana bread were her fan favorites, but nothing topped Grammy’s famous mac and cheese. The legacy she left for her family is one of doing for others. She was selfless, kind, loving, and proud: all characteristics her family and friends will fondly remember about Joanna “Jo” Rose.

Joanna was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Agnes (Sikora) Stassek, and her siblings: Julia Mocklincate, Stephen Stassek, Anna Ebertsch, John Stassek, Mary Sabo, and Helen Gilbert.

She is survived by her loving husband, Floyd Alvin Rose; her sister Irene Wiacek; her children, Susan and Gary Mortensen and David and Cheri Rose. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Stephanie (Jason) Rainey, Ron (Holly) Mortensen, Kyle (Liza) Rose, and Amanda (Pete) Wyman. Her great-grandchildren include Bridgette and Brandon Rainey, Jaynee (Kasey) Poel, Isaac (Claudia) Mortensen, Gavin Mortensen, and Greyson and Brooklyn Wyman.

Funeral services will be held Wed, Feb 5, at 12 Noon at D.L. Miller Funeral Home in Bloomingdale, with nephew Bill Rose officiating.  Interment will follow in Spring Grove Cemetery in Bloomingdale. The family will receive friends Tues, Feb 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. and again on Wed. from 11 a.m. until the time of service also at the funeral home.  Memorial contributions can be made to Kindred Hospice, 1911 W. Centre Ave, Ste. 1, Portage, MI 49024.

Arrangements are in the care of the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes.  Please sign her online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com